Apparatus for storing and dispensing articles



May 22, 1934. J. J. HORAN ET AL 1,959,981

APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING ARTICLES Filed March 13, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 22, 1934. J. .1. HORAN Er AL v 1,959,981

APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING ARTICLES Filed March 13, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 efo/zzzdffar azz 22 Of/UZl/ff/M/Z May 22, 1934.

J. J. HORAN El AL APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING ARTICLES Filed March 15, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 grwwvbow @mv wvk arm Patented May 22, 1934- UNETED STATES FATENT QFFEQE APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENS- ING ARTICLES to said Horan Application March 13, 1933, Serial No. 660,584

13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the type of apparatus known as dispensing or vending machines, and it has particular relation to an apparatus designed to utilize a container as a medium for initiating actuation of a mechanism to dispense an article of merchandise in return for each container.

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for receiving containers, such as bottles, and utilizing them as a medium for initiating the operation of a dispensing mechanism and automatically storing the containers after they have served their function of operating the dispensing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for receiving containers, such as bottles, and utilizing them to initiate the operation of a dispensing mechanism from which suitable articles are expelled and which operates automatically to bar insertion of further containers, as well as to stop operation of the dispensing mechanism, after the last article has been exhausted therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus designed to receive containers, such as bottles, to be utilized in initiating the operation of a dispensing mechanism and including a construction so arranged that the actuating mechanism for operating the device may be moved independently without damaging the dispensing device even though the parts of the latter may be locked against movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for receiving containers of a relatively fragile nature and automatically to arrange the containers in stacked relation from the bottom of the'container to the top of a storage space without danger of damaging or breaking such containers.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section and partially in elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section on a larger scale taken substantially along the line 111-111 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating theoperating elements of the apparatus in a different position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially alongv the line VV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 5, but from the other side of the apparatus and showing operating elements of the apparatus in elevation;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective of a dispensing mechanism embodied in the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of a cam support and 60 article shifting member embodied in the structure; and

Fig. 9 is a plan of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

A practical embodiment of the invention is exemplified in a casing or cabinet 10 which can be 65 constructed in any convenient configuration, and it has an opening 11 adjacent its upper extremity at such position as to be readily accessible to persons standing adjacent the casing. An upwardly opening closure 12 having a hinge 15 nor- 70 mally maintains the casing closed from the top by means of a lock 16. Wall portions of the casing defining the opening 11 of the casing are adapted to be rolled inwardly to form beaded portions 17 and 18 bordering the opening, and a suitable door 19 (Fig. 2), providing access to the interior of the casing, is normally maintained locked.

An actuating lever 20 having a knob 22 at its outer end extends through a slot 23 in the casing adjacent the opening 11 and comprises a lower actuating arm or handle 25, an upright pivotal rod section 26, and lateral cam actuating arms 27 and 23. One of the cam actuating arms 27 constitutes a rigid projection of the lever 20, whereas the other cam actuating arm 28 has its one end rotatably mounted upon the rod section 26 and its other end portion extending beyond the outer end of the rigid arm 2'7 to form a curved end portion 29. A suitable spring 30'having end connections 32 and 33 to adjacent ends of, the rigid arm 27 and pivotal arm 28, respectively, provides for concurrent movement of the arms 27 and 28. Relative movement or" these arms is resisted by the spring 30, andalthough, under certain conditions such relative movement is effected, it is possible only in opposition to the resiliency of the spring.

A supporting frame 35 having suitable connections 36 to the wall of the casing 10 is provided with spaced upper and lower sections 3'7 and 38 in which'the upper and lower portions of the rod section 26 of the lever 20 are rotatably mounted, as indicated at and 52, respectively. Suitable spacing washers 53 and 55 separate the arm 28 from the upper frame section 37 and the handle arm 25 from the lower frame section 38, respectively. Thus the lever 20 is rotatably mounted in the frame 35 about the axis of the upright rod section 26.

The outer end of the pivotal cam actuating arm 28 is provided with a pin 56 that is rigidly mounted thereon and is disposed in a cam slot 57 formed in a plate 58 that is rigidly mounted upon a rotatable cam support 60. One end of the pin 56 isprovided with a head 62, and the plate58is confined between the end 230i the arm and the head, thus preventing the pin from being displaced from the slot 57. As best shown in Fig. 8, the cam plate 58 is rigidly secured to an upper horizontal leg 63 of a U-shaped portion 65 of the cam support. Thisupper-portion of the cam support has a horizontal extension 66 on the leg of the U-shaped portion terminating in a fork 67 and the.lowenhorizontal leg 68 of the U-shaped portion is bent downwardly to form a verticalleg 69 having a laterally bent foot '70 formed thereon. Aligned openings 72 in the extension 66 and the foot 70, respectively, receive a vertical rod '73 which .pivotall carries the cam support 60 and has its opposite end portions mountedas indicated at '75, in the upper ;and,lower framesections 37 ,A;-sec0nd.p1ate-76 (Fig.3) is inountedeupon th l 68 f th cam support and ha plat sections 77 and 78 extending laterally therefrom. de m l J19 o curved confi urati n li l .receivesa pin 80 (Figs. 3andlfl) that is rigidly mounted in the end-portion ofa lever varm 32 .eenstitutingapa le a cl s a uat fi- A in ermediat p r ion .01 th a m i pivetall s pp rted upon an upright rod v85 that has i opposit end s ur d in :th fram s tion and 8.8. .An intermediat portion-o t Closure ac uator is .in the :form 0 a e ti a sect on .8 Fig. 16) land is secured, as indicated at '87 to a ivertical wall ;88 of a. c losu re;89 composedof sheet material. The closure actuator also has .a flower arm -90 parallel to the upp r arm 82 and is ipivota l supnn ted up n th l w ende the ,rnd85.

The closure 89 comprises a vertical outwardly curved wall portion 92 whichcloses the opening 311 in one position of the lever arm 82. 'She other wall portion 88 to which the arm ;82 is secured is curved into substantially i-channel form and in a direction opposite thecurvature .of the 'wall portion 392. A slot 93 through which the ex n ion :66 cf the cam upp :6D X'G C1 1 suifieien y l n to r ceiv th ext nsion in var ou r la iv p i ion of he cam supper fill an the .closure 89. A second slot .95 in the wall uQQrtion 88 is adapted to provide for movement of the closure beyond an extended portion of a cam plate 9.6, the latter of which is rigidly :mounted, .as indicated at .97, 111 11 :the .upper sec- .tion 37 .of the frame 35, and is further formed with an outer v,cam face 98.

A lever 99 mounted intermediate its ends ,upon a pivot 100 on the upper frame member 3'7 has .a rounded .end 102 adjacent the cam face 98, and a link 103 secured by means of .a thumb screw 1% is supported adjacent its other end. The lever 99 .is substantially gzeshaped Ffig. 5) and its intermediate section 166 extends downwardly to a position adjacent the lower frame member 38 Where its lateral arm 107 is formed for receiving the :thumb screw 105.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the end portion oi the link 3103 opposite the thumb screw is pivotally connected,,as indicated .at 108, ;to ,a slide 169 that is movable horizontally in a guide '110 of a dispensing .or discharging device 112. Suitable flanges 113 on :the .guideenga e opposite edges of the slide, and the slide and guide have registering slots 115 and 116, respectively, formed therein. A forward edge portion 117 of the slide extends transversely across the guide, and the slots 115 are spaced slightly to the rear thereof. A 80 platform 118 supported upon the lower frame section 38 carries the dispensing device 112 and the guide 110 is secured in superposed relation thereon. A laterally closed chute 120 extending integrally from, and at an incline to, the guide projects through a slot 122 in the wall of the casing 10 and terminates in a receptacle 123 accessible from outside the casing. A flange 125 of the platform is inclined downwardly to assist in supporting and positioningthe dispensing device on the platform.

An upright magazine 126, having a pair of oppositely-disposedslots 127 at its lower end facing thelslide and chute, respectively, has a bracket or strap 128 secured thereto adjacent the upper 95 irame member 437. gbracketisapertured to fitover apin 1.29 inthef-ramegmember forrdetachably maintaining the-framegand magazine in firmlysassembledrelation. A pairoflugs :130 formed ,on opposite sidesof v'the-nr agazine serve: to position the-la t r by fittin .into;.no t.ches .132 in the upper ends of flange portions 133 extending upwardly and-integrally from ,oppositesides of thegiuide 110. Access to g the magazine :for :replenishing .it with suitable packages .or articles 135 of :mer-J05 chandise, or the ,like, stacked therein is had ,by

openingrtheclosure 12, 1if,ting themagazine bodily :ir mth naan removing a cover ;,1;36ifittin over the top thereof. The coverextendsiupwardly and constitutes an integral part of the bracket 31:10

128. Apairof fingers .137 formed ,upon the lower side of a follower 138 that is normally disposed the ;fork 6'7, while the-various operating elements are-positioned,asrillustrated in Fig. ,3. Then the 5120 knob 22 of the operatinglever 20 ismoved-in a counterclockwise direction, :aS viewed in Figs. .3 andfhabout thepivotal rodsection 26 andthepin 56 of the pivotal arm 28-moves the camsupport 60 in ;a lcounter-clockwise direction to swing the vex- 325 tension 66 van d;f,orl 6.7 to :the position :shown in Fig. 4. The forcerexerted :for causing the .move- 'ment-of thecam support 60:lS'llIQQSIIIilZEBd'lLhI'OlEh thespringt30. As the bottle is carried .totheposi ;tion shown ;in Fig. :51, it contacts the cam surface :130 98, andlat the same time, contacts the rounded endpQrtion :102 ,of the lever 99. :By forcing the bottleagainst this cam surfaceit moves outwardly on the cam surface against the end of thelever 99 and actuates the latter in a counter-clockwise direction aboutgthepivot support 100;and alsoforces the bottle from the fork 6'7.

*Inorder to stack and storea number of bottles 139 progressively in .the casing, alternately and oppositely disposed baffles are arranged in pa staggered relation in thecasing and are supported .upon brackets 1152 that are mounted :upon :the wall of the casing. Each bafile slopesslightly toward the central portion of thecasing 10 toward the space between two oppositely disposed baiiies. When a bottle is released from the 'fork6'7, it:drops .upon theuppeivbafiie in the position shown in Fig.

2 and rolls slowly from bafile to bafiie until it reaches a lowersloping platform 153 that extends entirely across the lower 2130113101101 the casing and may be made therein without is supported by brackets 155 secured in the casing in a conventional manner.

Pivotal movement of the lever 99 caused by the bottle moving thereagainst operates the slide 109 toward the slots 12'? in the lower portion of the magazine. The lowermost article 135 of the stack in the magazine registers with the slots and as the forward edge 117 of the slide is forced through the slot the article is discharged or ex pelled from the magazine into the chute and slides or falls by gravity into the receptacle 123. The articles may be in the form of pieces of chewing gum, candy or the like, and are adapted to be dispensed in return for the bottle, such as a milk bottle.

In the movement of the cam support in a counter-clockwise direction the pin 30 operating in the cam slot '79 causes the closure operating arm 82 to move the closure wall 92 to close the opening 11 and thereby prevent access to the interior of the casing. By returning the knob 22 in a clockwise direction to its original position all of the elements referred to resume their original position as shown in Fig. 3.

However, if the articles are exhausted from the magazine 126 the last article to be expelled from the magazine permits the follower 138 to fall by gravity upon the slide 109 and the fingers 13? drop through the registering slots 115 and 116 of the slide and guide, thereby locking them against relative movement. Then movement of the lever 20 is possible but only against the resistance offered by thespring 30 which is thus extended. However, the elements of the apparatus cannot be shifted to receive a bottle upon the fork 6'] until the magazine has been removed and the fingers 137 withdrawn from the slot of the slide and guide. In removing the magazine the top closure 12 is opened and the upper and lower portions of the magazine detached from the pin 129 and notches 132, respectively, by lifting it. After refilling the magazine the parts of the device are again positioned as shown in Fig. 3 for repeating the operation as described. a

While bottles and pieces of merchandise are shown and described as articles suitable to be received and dispensed in the apparatus, it is to be understood that various other kinds of objects can be employed by modifying the receiving parts to conform to the shape of the various objects.

Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited but that various changes departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A vending apparatus comprising a primary actuating device, a pivotal arm for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, means for pivotally supporting said device and arm, a connection spaced from said means for transmitting force from said device to said arm, a package discharging mechanism, a member operable by moving said article against said member in response to movement of the arm to actuate the package discharging mechanism, and means for releasing the article from the first mentioned means during the operation of said member.

2. A vending device comprising a primary actuating device, a pivotal arm for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, means for pivotally supporting said device and arm, a cam connection spaced from said means for transmitting force from said device to said arm, a package discharging mechanism, a member operable by moving said article against said member in response to movement of the arm to actuate the package discharging mechanism, and means for releasing the article from the article supporting arm during the operation of said member.

3. A vending apparatus comprising a primary actuating device, a pivotal arm for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, means for pivotally sup porting said device and arm, a projection and cam slot connecting said device and arm for transmitting iorce from the one to the other, a package discharging mechanism, a member operable by moving said article against said member to actuate the package discharging mechanism, means for releasing the article from said arm during the operation of said member, and means cooperating with gravity for guiding the released article along a predetermined path.

4. A storing and vending apparatus comprising a casing having an article receiving opening therein, a support in the casing, an operating lever pivoted on the support, an arm movably mounted upon the support for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, power transmitting means connecting the lever and arm at a location spaced from their mounting on the support, a package discharging mechanism, a member operable by movement of said article against said member to actuate the package discharging mechanism in response to movement of the arm, means for releasing the article from said arm during the operation. of said member, and means responsive to the operation of said arm to close the casing opening.

5. A storing and vending apparatus comprising a casing having an article receiving opening therein, a support in the casing, an operating lever pivoted on the support, an arm movably mounted on the support for releasably supporting an article in movable relat'on to transport it away from the casing opening, power transmitting means connecting the lever and arm at a location spaced from their mounting upon the support, a package discharging mechanism including a package containing magazine and including an expelling member operable against a package in the magazine to discharge it, an actuating member operable in response to movement of said article against said actuating member to operate the package discharging mechanism, a closure for the casing opening, a closure operating member connected to the closure and movably mounted upon said support, means for connecting the closure operating member to to operate the closure upon operation of the arm, and means in the magazine for locking the package discharging mechanism aga'nst operation when the packages therein have been exhausted.

6. A storing and vending apparatus comprising a casing having an article receiving opening therein, a support in the casing, an operating lever pivoted on the support, an arm movably mounted upon the support for releasably supporting an article in movable relation to trans port it inside the casing away from the opening, power transmitting means connecting the lever and arm at a location spaced from their mounting upon the support, a package discharging mechanism including a package containing magthe arm azine and including an expelling member operable against a package in the magazine to discharge it, an actuating member operable by moving said article against said member in response to actuation of the arm in moving the article, means responsive to movement of said arm for releasing the article from said arm during the operation of said actuating member, a casing closure movable into opening and closing relation to said casing opening, a closure actuator pivotally mounted upon the support and having a connection to the closure, a camming connection between said actuator and said arm whereby the actuator is responsive to the operation of said arm to open or close the casing closure.

7. In a vending apparatus, a casing having an opening therein for receiving an article, an article carrying device for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another in the casing, means for pivotally supporting said device, an operating member having a camming connection to said device, means for movably supporting said operating member, a closure structure for the casing opening, a camming connection between the closure structure and said device whereby the closure structure is responsive to movement of the device to open or close the casing opening, a package discharging mechanism, and means operable by movement of the article carried by device into contact with said means to actuate said mechanism.

8. A vending apparatus comprising a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting tie lever, mechanism for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, yieldable means for transmitting force from the primary lever to said mechanism, a package discharging device, a member operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by said mechanism to actuate the package discharging device, and means for releasing the article from said mechanism.

9. A vending machine comprising a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting the lever, mechanism for releasably supporting an article in movable relation with the mechanism, yieldable means for transmitting force from the primary lever to said mechanism, a package discharging device including a detachable package containing magazine, a member operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by said mechanism to actuate the package discharging device, and means for releasing the article from said mechanism incidental to the operation of said mechanism.

10. A vending apparatus comprising a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting the lever, a pair of relatively movable arms included in one end portion of said lever, yieldable means for transmitting force from one arm to the other, mechanism for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, means for connecting one of said arms to said mechanism whereby force is transmitted yieldably from said lever to said mechanism, a package discharging device, a member operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by said mechanism to actuate the package di charging device, and means for releasing the article from said mechanism.

11. A vending apparatus compris ng a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting the lever, mechanism for releasably supporting an article in movable relation from one position to another, resilient means for transmitting force from the primary lever to said mechanism; a package discharging device including a package containing magazine and including an expelling member operable against a package in the magazine to discharge it; an actuating member operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by said mechanism to actuate the package discharging device, and means in the magazine for locking the package discharging device against operation when the packages are exhausted, said lever being yieldably movable against said resilient means while the locking means is in locked position but inoperative to eiiect operation of said mechanism.

12. A storing and vending apparatus comprising a casing having an article receiving opening therein, mechanism for releasably supporting an article in movable relation to transfer it away from the casing opening; a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting the lever, resilient means connected to the lever for transmitting force from the lever to said mechanism; a package discharging device including a package containing magazine and including a package expelling member operable against a package in the magazine to discharge it; an actuating member operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by the article moving mechanism to actuate the package discharging device, a closure having connections to said mechanism and responsive to movement of the latter to close the casing opening, and means in the magazine for locking the package discharging device and casing closure when packages in said magazine are exhausted.

13. A vending apparatus comprising a primary lever, means for pivotally supporting the lever, a pair of arms constituting one end portion of the lever, one of said arms being rigid with the lever and the other arm being journaled thereon, a resilient connection between said arms, a cam support, means for pivotally supporting the cam support adjacent the lever, the journaled arm having a cam connection to the cam support for actuating the latter, a member included in said cam support for releasably supporting an article in movable relation, a package discharging device, an actuating element operable in response to an article being moved thereagainst by said member to actuate the package discharging device, and means for releasing the article from said member.

JOHN J. HORAN. OTTO DU ,PERNELL. 

